SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac is giving $5,000 to the New Beginnings Pregnancy Care Center, Inc. to assist with the expenses incurred in providing a home to pregnant and parenting women and their babies.

New Beginnings is a residential facility that is solely based on protecting pregnant women in crisis situations to promote the safety and well-being of women and their unborn babies.

“Now more than ever, advocating for healthy families by protecting vulnerable women and their unborn children is essential, challenging, and promising,” according to Kelly Rust, executive director. “Given the opportunity, supportive environment, and financial means, these women can move from dependence, poverty, even addiction and illness to self-sufficiency, financial security, and healthy lifestyle choices.”

The funding from SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac will help improve access to health care for pregnant women and their preborn babies, as well as postnatal care and infant care after delivery through services and support provided through New Beginnings programs, connections, and support services.

“Prenatal care can help prevent complications and inform women about important steps they can take to protect their infant and ensure a healthy pregnancy,” according to Dawn Vandenberg, SSM Health Mission Integration regional director. “Ongoing support and encouragement from trusted resources play a critical role in ensuring a safe pregnancy and delivery, as well as setting the stage for building a happy and healthy family.”

Through various programs and services, New Beginnings helps to improve the quality of life for its residents, assists women in carrying their infants to term, teaches healthy parenting and essential life skills, facilitates healing and restoring hope, helps prepare women for independent living, educates on health and nutrition for themselves and the child, and more.

To learn more, call the New Beginnings Pregnancy Care Center at 920-923-1484 or visit newbeginningspregcare.org.

In 2022, SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac’s community benefit ministry totaled more than $400,000 across the communities it serves. This investment helps ensure access to health care for patients who are uninsured or underinsured, train the next generation of health professionals to care for those in need, and fund programs to address the most pressing health needs of our communities.